ALL BLACK TEAM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 230, 14 September 1935, Page 7

ALL BLACK TEAM

Opening of Tour To-day PROSPECTS DISCUSSED By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright LONDON, Sept. 13. Tho. All Blacks are confident of victory when they meet Devon and Cornwall on Saturday in the first game of the tour. Tho match is regarded as a curtain-raiser to a season in which the All Blacks are unlikely to be extended. Newspapers consider the team Very strong. The manager, Mr V. R. Meredith, declined to say what scrum formation the forwards would pack. Tho “News-Chronicle” considers that whatever plan the All Blacks adopt it will be formidable. The visitors should bo supreme at least in tho lineouts. Tho New Zealanders practised strenuously on the velvety turf at Paignton. Oliver played barefooted and showed a rare turn of speed. Some critics are unimpressed with the forwards. They declare that some attempts at wheeling missed fundamental principles. Newspapers expect the All Blacks to play on traditional lines. The team is expected to keep the ball moving with sharp hand-to-hand passing, to be capable of sudden bursts of extra pace and to run straight. Tho West-Country people have taken tho team to their hearts, and the practices have been largely attended. MATCHES IN FRANCE PARIS, Sept. 12. The All Blacks have agreed to play a number of matches against French teams provided that the English Federation resumes relations with France.